The 2021 Kia Sorento SX Turbo AWD has gone through a serious makeover and planted it right on the top of our list for mid-size consumer crossovers.

PRN T-Shirts now available! Check out our original designs here: https://teespring.com/stores/prn

The Kia Sorento is one of the vehicles we've featured often here on TestDrive. Even before we started this show we drove numerous model years and trims of the Sorento. For 2021 Kia has completely updated this mid-size three row crossover, with a brand-new exterior design, new technology, and completely updated interior. We discuss some of the mechanical changes about the new 2021 Kia Sorento SX AWD including the new 2.5L turbocharged engine, wet dual-clutch transmission, and longer wheelbase. The exterior styling is much more aggressive than the previous rounded design, with sharp edges, smooth sides, and a premium design. The front sports full LED lighting including Kia signature LED daytime running lights, the rear includes dual vertical LED tail lights along with a power opening trunk.

Other exterior features include all the typical safety technology we expect to find at this price point including a new navigation-enhanced smart cruise control system with active speed change, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, driver attention, safe exit for parallel parking, safe exit for rear passengers, blind spot monitor camera, 360º surround view cameras, and emergency automatic braking. Other features include a remote starter, power folding mirrors, UVO Intelligence phone app, a panoramic sunroof and blacked out trim accents.

We go over the interior design of the 2021 Kia Sorento SX AWD like the new 12.3" fully digital gauge cluster, 10.25" infotainment system, colour Head-Up Display, front heat/ventilated seats with driver memory, second row captain's chairs with heat, a new Bose audio system, dual zone automatic climate control with the third row controls, easy entry to the rear seats, and second row window sunshades. The interior is inspired by the larger Kia Telluride with it's own unique design traits. Some elements are also shared from the new Kia K5.

We take the 2021 Kia Sorento SX AWD on a comprehensive real-world road test to talk about how this crossover performs on the road for daily driving use. We report our independent fuel economy results including how this new Sorento compares to the old generation, along with some of the other mid-size consumer crossovers we've driven recently. We talk about our experiences with the 2.5L SmartStream turbo 4 cylinder engine, along with this new 8 speed wet dual clutch transmission. We discuss how this performs and drives overall and why you might want to consider this. We also discuss how far Kia has come as an automaker and some advice other car makers might want to pick up on.

Follow PRN on Facebook:   / perpetualradio  
Follow PRN on Twitter:   / perpetualradio  
Follow Nile on Twitter:   / nilelivesey  
Follow Nile on Instagram:   / nilelivesey  
Visit our website: http://www.perpetualradio.ca/

TestDrive is proudly produced in Acton, Québec, Canada.